Colorado has always been a leader in dental hygiene. The Colorado Dental Hygienists’ Association (CODHA), founded in 1919, was a group of trailblazers and changemakers that set out to inspire minds. Colorado was one of the first states in the country to allow local anesthesia administration by dental hygienists, and in 1986 became the first state to allow unsupervised dental hygiene practice.
For 35 years, Colorado has allowed hygienists to practice without the supervision of a dentist and to own their own practices. This has opened up many creative and unique workforce models for hygienists and dental practices. Colorado dental hygienists continue to be pioneers in many facets of dentistry, dental hygiene, and entrepreneurship.
The Centennial State is well known for its majestic Rocky Mountains, desert basins and mesas, stunning river canyons, and breathtaking parks and resorts. Some areas enjoy more than 300 sun-soaked days per year, while some mountain towns can be blanketed with more than 300 inches of snow a year!
We look forward to welcoming RDH Under One Roof to our beautiful state and hope that you will leave UOR inspired to make change in your community and your profession. This month’s cover photo features some of the incredible dental hygienists who are leaders in the professional arenas of dental hygiene—clinical, corporate, public health, research, education, administration, and entrepreneurship.
Alyssa Aberle, MBA, RDH, CDIPC
Alyssa is a nationally recognized speaker and writer who specializes in minimally invasive dentistry and infection prevention. She has a passion for public health and has worked in alternate settings including schools, medical clinics, and homeless shelters. Through her role as executive director of CODHA for the past decade, she has advocated for expansion of scope and access to care.
Stephanie Botts, BS, RDH, CEAS
Stephanie is a dental hygienist and ergonomics specialist in Denver, Colorado. She’s the founder of Polished Posture, which offers ergonomic solutions for dental clinicians and office workers. She lectures internationally on ergonomics, is a consultant with the American Dental Association Wellness Committee, and is dedicated to promoting worker health through ergonomics. Visit her website at polishedposture.net.
Janiece C. Ervin, BSDH, RDH
Janiece is a clinical hygienist, business owner, published author, speaker, and active volunteer in the Colorado Dental Hygienists’ Association. Her entrepreneurial ventures, driven by her passion for preventing workplace disengagement, encompass a travel dental hygiene company called DEN Smiles, the DEN Study Club, and the DEN List.
Kimmie Herrera, BSDH, RDH, OMT
Throughout her 22 years in dentistry, Kimmie has proudly advocated for her patients. In 2017, she opened her in-person and virtual global practice, Smile and Airway Health. Kimmie loves mentoring fellow RDHs and OMTs, speaking, volunteering, donating hygiene services, and serving on the board of an international study club called Airway Circle.
Courtney Justice, BSDH, RDH
Courtney is the current president of CODHA, the regional oral health specialist for a rural, school-based teledentistry program, and the owner of Justice Dental LLC. She’s an outspoken advocate for oral health equity and participates in shaping policy at the state and national level.
Kim Laudenslager, MPA, RDH, CDIPC
Kim is a 30-plus year business owner of Laudenslager Seminars, an associate professor at University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine, and director of dental hygiene examinations with Central Regional Dental Testing Services. She’s a past Colorado dental board member, and a recipient of the ADHA Award for Excellence, the Peer Assistance Founders Award, and CODHA Ethyl Covington Award.
Paige McEvoy, EdD, RDH
Paige is the program director for Community College of Denver (CCD) dental hygiene, serving the Denver area. While at CCD, she developed a continuing education program for licensees, wrote numerous grants, and spearheaded program expansion to meet staffing shortages. Paige also served for eight years on the Colorado Dental Board.
Michelle Noblet-Vacha, BS, RDH
In 2006, Michelle founded her nonprofit, Senior Mobile Dental. She has expanded her nonprofit mission with a vision and passion to bring oral health into overall health care. She is a passionate advocate for the hygiene profession and has elevated awareness with her recent National Jefferson Award, which received much media attention.
Joy Raskie, RDH
Joy has more than two decades of experience, is known for her expertise in dental lasers, and holds multiple advanced laser degrees. She’s the owner of Advanced Dental Hygiene, and she conducts more than 100 live hands-on laser trainings annually. Her passion lies in igniting enthusiasm and building confidence in lasers.
Editor's note: This article appeared in the January-February 2024 print edition of RDH magazine. Dental hygienists in North America are eligible for a complimentary print subscription. Sign up here.
Alyssa Aberle, MBA, RDH, CDIPC, is a nationally recognized speaker and writer who specializes in minimally invasive dentistry and infection prevention. She has a passion for public health and has worked in alternate settings including schools, medical clinics, and homeless shelters. Through her role as executive director of CODHA for the past decade, she has advocated for expansion of scope and access to care.
